Amal Clooney’s groundbreaking legal career spans international law, human rights advocacy, and high-profile cases, earning her recognition as one of the world’s foremost legal minds and a champion of justice.
Amal Clooney is a trailblazing barrister who has made an indelible mark on the legal landscape, championing the cause of justice and human rights around the world. As a renowned expert in international law, she has represented clients before prestigious international courts, including the International Criminal Court, the International Court of Justice, and the European Court of Human Rights. Clooney’s unwavering commitment to protecting the rights of victims of mass atrocities, political prisoners, and journalists has earned her a reputation as one of the most formidable advocates in the field.
Exceptional Legal Expertise and Accolades
Amal Clooney’s exceptional legal expertise has been widely recognized by her peers. She is ranked as a leading barrister in international human rights law, public international law, and international criminal law by prestigious legal directories such as Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners. The directories describe her as a “brilliant legal mind,” a “first-class international lawyer,” and a “natural lead advocate” who is “tactically first class” and possesses a “commanding presence before courts.”
Clooney’s impressive track record has earned her numerous accolades, including the 2022 Article 3 ‘Human Rights Global Treasure Award,’ the 2021 NYU Law Alumni Achievement Award, and the 2020 Committee to Protect Journalists Gwen Ifill Award for her “extraordinary and sustained achievement in the cause of press freedom.”
Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken delivers remarks at the Kennedy Center Honors Dinner in Washington, DC., on December 3, 2022. [State Department Photo by Freddie Everett]
Photo credit: U.S. Department of State from United States, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Representing Victims of Mass Atrocities
One of Clooney’s primary areas of focus is representing victims of mass atrocities, including genocide and sexual violence. She has been at the forefront of landmark human rights cases, including the world’s first and only trials in which ISIS members have been convicted of genocide against the Yazidi people.
Clooney has also represented Armenia in a case involving the Armenian genocide and has led a Legal Task Force on Accountability for Crimes Committed in Ukraine, established at the request of the Ukrainian government. Additionally, she has represented over 400 Yazidis in the first civil case in a U.S. court seeking to hold ISIS financiers responsible for supporting the terror group while it was committing its well-documented genocide.
Advocating for Political Prisoners and Press Freedom
Clooney’s commitment to human rights extends beyond representing victims of mass atrocities. She has also been a tireless advocate for political prisoners and journalists around the world, helping to secure the freedom of those arbitrarily detained for their work.
In 2020, Clooney received the Gwen Ifill Award from the Committee to Protect Journalists for her “extraordinary and sustained achievement in the cause of press freedom.” She has represented high-profile cases, such as that of award-winning Filipino journalist Maria Ressa, who was facing over 100 years in prison in Manila based on spurious charges, and the case of Reuters journalists Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo, who were convicted and sentenced to seven years in prison in Myanmar following their reporting on crimes committed against the Rohingya.
Expertise in International Law and Tribunals
Clooney’s extensive experience in international law and tribunals has made her a sought-after expert in the field. She has served as a senior advisor to former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan when he was the UN’s Envoy on Syria, as Counsel to the UN Inquiry on the use of armed drones, and as a rapporteur for the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute on the independence of the judiciary.
Additionally, Clooney has been a member of the UK’s team of experts on preventing sexual violence in conflict zones and the UK Attorney General’s panel of experts on public international law. From 2019 to 2021, she also served as the deputy chair of an International Bar Association Panel of Legal Experts on Media Freedom, chaired by former UK Supreme Court President Lord Neuberger.
Pioneering the Clooney Foundation for Justice
Alongside her legal work, Clooney co-founded the Clooney Foundation for Justice, which provides free legal support to victims of human rights abuses in over 40 countries. The foundation’s mission is to advance justice through accountability for human rights abuses worldwide, focusing on vulnerable communities.
Through the foundation, Clooney and her husband, George Clooney, have used their platform to shine a spotlight on human rights issues and to advocate for systemic change. The foundation’s initiatives include the TrialWatch program, which monitors trials of journalists, activists, and other vulnerable individuals, and the Accountability Lab, which holds governments and corporations accountable for human rights violations.
Amal Clooney’s Impressive Publication Record
Her extensive publication record further reflects Clooney’s expertise in international law and human rights. She has authored and co-edited several books, including “Free Speech in International Law” (co-edited with D. Neuberger, Oxford University Press, 2024), “The Right to a Fair Trial in International Law” (with P. Webb, Oxford University Press, 2020), and “The Special Tribunal for Lebanon: Law and Practice” (co-edited with D. Tolbert and N. Jurdi, Oxford University Press, 2014).
In addition to her books, Clooney has contributed numerous book chapters and journal articles on topics such as human rights, international criminal law, and the role of the UN Security Council in the International Criminal Court. Her scholarly work has been widely acclaimed, with her book “The Right to a Fair Trial in International Law” winning the American Society of International Law’s 2022 Certificate of Merit for high technical craftsmanship and utility to lawyers and scholars.
Amal Clooney’s Diverse Legal Expertise
Clooney’s legal expertise extends beyond her work in international law and human rights. She has also been involved in cultural property, state immunity, and investment arbitration cases. For instance, she has advised the Greek government on the return of the Parthenon Marbles from the United Kingdom to Greece and has provided legal advice on the scope of state immunity under domestic and international law in claims alleging human rights abuses by members of the armed forces.
Furthermore, Clooney has participated in litigation on the appropriate venue for the trial of a former Libyan intelligence chief, arguing that the trial for alleged crimes against humanity should take place in The Hague, not Libya, due to the lack of fair process in Libya and the application of the death penalty.
Amal Clooney’s Appointment as Special Adviser to the ICC Prosecutor
In 2021, Clooney was appointed as the Special Adviser to the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC). In this role, she provides strategic advice and support to the prosecutors in their efforts to investigate and prosecute the most serious international crimes.
Clooney’s appointment to this prestigious position underscores her standing as a leading expert in international criminal law and her commitment to ensuring accountability for atrocities committed around the world. As the Special Adviser, she will play a crucial role in shaping the ICC’s approach to complex cases and in advocating for the rights of victims of international crimes.
Clooney’s Advocacy for Yazidi Victims and Accountability for ISIS Crimes
One of Clooney’s most significant recent cases has been her representation of Yazidi victims of the ISIS genocide. She has been at the forefront of efforts to secure justice and accountability for the atrocities committed by ISIS against the Yazidi people, including the world’s first and only trials in which ISIS members have been convicted of genocide.
Clooney’s advocacy has included representing a group of over 400 Yazidi-Americans in a civil case against the French conglomerate Lafarge S.A. for conspiring to provide material support to ISIS. The lawsuit, filed under the civil provisions of the Anti-Terrorism Act, seeks to hold Lafarge accountable for its admitted criminal conspiracy with ISIS and obtain compensation for the Yazidi people.
Clooney’s Involvement in the Ukraine Conflict
In the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Clooney has been actively involved in efforts to secure accountability for the atrocities committed by Russia in the conflict. She led a Legal Task Force on Accountability for Crimes Committed in Ukraine, established at the request of the Ukrainian government, to advise on delivering justice for victims of crimes committed by Russia.
Clooney’s expertise and advocacy have been instrumental in shaping the international community’s response to the Ukraine crisis. She has been a vocal proponent of using legal mechanisms, such as the International Criminal Court, to hold Russian leaders accountable for war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Clooney’s Commitment to the Rule of Law and Compassion for the People it Serves
Throughout her illustrious career, Amal Clooney has consistently demonstrated a deep commitment to the rule of law and compassion for the people it serves. Whether she is representing mass atrocities victims, advocating for political prisoners’ rights, or championing press freedom, Clooney’s unwavering dedication to justice and human rights has made her a true force to be reckoned with in the legal arena.
Clooney’s impact extends far beyond the courtroom. She continues to use her platform to raise awareness and drive meaningful change on a global scale. Her work with the Clooney Foundation for Justice and her advocacy for accountability and systemic reform have cemented her legacy as one of our time’s most influential and respected legal minds.
Sources:
Amal Clooney. Columbia Law School. https://www.law.columbia.edu/faculty/amal-clooney. Accessed May 21, 2024
Independent. Amal Clooney is one of the legal experts who recommended war crimes charges in Israel-Hamas war. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/benjamin-netanyahu-ap-hamas-israel-george-clooney-b2548341.html. Accessed May 21, 2024
Header Image Credit: Image credit: U.S. Department of State from United States, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
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